Minastrin 24 Fe and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Tay...
• July 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I started taking Minastrin in November after Loestrin was discontinued. I was told it was the same pill, just a different name (I disagree). Like Loestrin, I take Minastrin every morning at 8 a.m. I have been taking Minastrin now for almost a year. I find I have cramps all the time, I get mad very easily, no sex drive whatsoever. I'm not sure if this is related, but I get hot and sweat very easily now. I have gained a good bit of weight in my thighs and lower stomach, again, not sure if that is related to Minastrin. When I go for my yearly exam, I will be looking at switching."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2014

For Birth Control "Was on for 4 months or so... It was okay. I didn't have any of the 'common' side effects, and my mood was good. My period was light with minimal cramps and PMS. But-- I lost my libido completely and felt that I gained more weight on my thighs (and cellulite) despite eating healthy and working out-- never had this problem previously. I am having the IUD Skyla put in tomorrow. My doctor said that this should be 'it'. Minastrin may work for other women, but the no sex drive and weight gain was enough for me to throw in the towel."

• bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2014

For Birth Control "This is my second month of using the pill, and I'm in love with it. No headaches, no weight gain, periods are lighter, some emotional stuff, but I mean, I can fix that, and so can anyone else; but just like anything else, everyone's body will react differently to it."

• Ara...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Minastrin for over a year now. My very first form of birth control. The first 2 months were tough to get through, with spotting, bloating, mood swings, etc. But after my body got adjusted to the birth control, everything has been perfect. My periods are lighter and last 4 days. My cramps are still present, but they aren't as bad. I don't have severe acne or weight gain. Anyone who has a bad experience, I say just give it time before you write it off as terrible birth control."

• Hea...
• October 7, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Minastrin 24 Fe for 2 months now. I wasn't on any birth control previously. I have not noticed any weight gain...if anything, I've noticed a decrease in my appetite. I do have slight headaches daily, but not anything Tylenol can't fix, and they are slowly subsiding. They were pretty brutal in the first month. The biggest side effect I've noticed is how emotional I am! I used to NEVER cry, and now if my boyfriend even looks at me the wrong way, I start crying! It's ridiculous. Sometimes I feel like I'm about to cry, and I have absolutely no idea why! Also, my periods are lighter and shorter, but I still have a little spotting. The doctor told me this would happen. I'll keep taking it for now."

• MGG...
• August 31, 2015

For Birth Control "If I could give this pill less than a '1', I would. I was switched to this pill by my OBGYN after I was told that the Loestrin 24 FE I was previously taking was now Minastrin 24 FE. I was on the Loestrin for over 4 years with zero problems and zero side effects. Then the lovely Minastrin came into my life, and I immediately began to bloat and put on weight like I never had before. I have always been fairly lean for my height because I eat strict paleo and do CrossFit approximately 4-5 times per week. Even with keeping all of my same habits, I have gained 10 lbs. The weight gain, on top of the bloating, is more than enough for me to stop taking this pill because I would rather deal with the pain of endometriosis than deal with this weight gain."

• Sar...
• June 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I had to switch over to Minastrin because Loestrin was discontinued. I've been on this pill for a year and a half now, and it's the worst pill out there. I'm 21 and fit, but I have developed varicose veins from this pill. Ever since I started, they have been popping up everywhere on my legs. Also, I have no sex drive, putting a strain on my relationship. And I have gained over 30 pounds. I'm just dropping this pill altogether."

• New...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I have nothing bad to say about this pill. I had the Mirena for almost a year, and it was the worst BC ever. I had bad acne, weight gain, not able to lose weight, and stomach pain. I am very active (even had a trainer and ate healthy), and once I got the Mirena, I was not able to lose a pound and felt bloated all the time. It also made my migraines way worse. About a month after I got it out, I lost 10 lbs. Then, after a couple of months, I got Nexplanon. I have PCOS, so BC helps with my bleeding and cramps. I only had that in for a month, and it caused weight gain (4 lbs), water retention, migraines, and acne on my neck. I have been on Minastrin 24 Fe for a month, and it is a savior. No acne, no weight gain, and it has helped my migraines. I highly recommend."

• Anonymous
• May 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 36 years old. I have previously been on Loestrin 24 FE, then Generess FE. My physician switched me to Minastrin, and I have gained weight, I am so lethargic and tired all of the time. I am moody and overall unhappy, which I have never had in my life. I get cramps periodically, and I get spotting at random times, although very, very light. This is the most horrible pill I have ever been on. I will be getting off of it immediately."

• ken...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Lo Estrin 24 Fe or Minastrin 24 Fe for over 5 years now. Overall, I have had no problems with it. At first, I did gain some weight, but I was just entering high school at the time, so it may not have been just from the birth control. Before, I had very irregular periods - with them coming about every 2 weeks, and they were extremely heavy. Now I get my period every month at the same time for about 2-3 days, and they are very light periods. Before birth control, I had a few cysts on my ovaries, which is why I was originally put on the pill, and I have not had one in the last 5 years. I have never had acne either on or off the pill. I get very little cramps each month - usually only lasting a day."

• Jmf...
• May 18, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Generess FE for about 2 years (loved it) and then could no longer afford it because it no longer had an Activis card to use when paying for it. So, the doctor put me on Minastrin 24 FE. I believe this pill has made me gain a little bit of weight in a very short amount of time, and my biggest concern is how it has affected me emotionally. I feel very moody and so unhappy, almost depressed. I also have no sex drive, which I am not sure if that is from the pill or the slight depression from the pill. Either way, it is just not working well with my body. I can't wait to switch off of this pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 9, 2015

For Birth Control "Been on for about 7 months. Sex drive has been gone since starting. Sex hurts if tried, and I'm very emotional constantly. Gained a bunch of weight. Haven't had my period in 4 months, only some spotting."

• Ano...
• August 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I had been on a different BCP for over 20 years and had a generally low libido but pretty much no period with that pill. I went off to have a child, then returned to the same pill and became very emotional and depressed with a worse libido. My doctor changed me to Minastrin, and my emotions were much better, and libido improved also. I do get spotting the week before my period, which is non-existent. However, now that I've been on this pill for over a year, my weight has increased 14 pounds. I am so hungry, and my blood sugar doesn't seem to be very steady (I tend to get low blood sugar easily and am not a diabetic). So now I'm really hungry and can eat as much as my husband, and even though I'm exercising more, I continue to gain weight."

• Ven...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill about 3 1/2 months ago after taking Lo Loestrin for over a year, which, by the way, I loved. I switched because apparently my doctor wanted me to get my period back and he thought that by increasing the estrogen dosage, my period would, ergo, come back. Well, it didn't! So far, I do not like this birth control. My mood has changed and so has my libido, which is crazy because I'm like the female version of Christian Grey (Fifty Shades of Grey reference). I gained 6 freaking pounds, I already can't see things that are far away, and this pill has made it worse. I cannot wait to go back to Lo Loestrin. Hope my experience helps some of you ladies and please let me know if any of you also lost your period, lol."

• Pyl...
• January 15, 2016

For Birth Control "When I got my period at 12, I was getting it 2 times a month for 7 days each. Literally, half of my life I was on my period. Then I was on a pill that was good (Tilia Fe) and got my period regularly for 5 days at a time. Then my doctor told me about this pill and that her entire staff used it because they either got their period for 2 days or not at all. I was sold! And I'm still sold after a solid year on it. NO weight gain, NO cramps, NO mood swings, and I get my period for 1-2 days max! It's a miracle pill for me. I'm so sad to read such negative reviews about Minastrin 24; it's funny how pills are so different for people! YAZ made me completely insane; it is very expensive though at $54 - I would pay a million dollars; I LOVE IT!"

• Que...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2015

For Birth Control "Absolute worst pill ever. I switched to this pill because I was having spotting and constant yeast infections on other pills. Switched to Minastrin in early December. Immediate weight gain. Not 1-2 lbs, 15 lbs. I am an active female. I work out 4-5 times a week for 5-10 miles. I kept gaining weight no matter what. No sex drive. No period, which is scary and a problem unto itself. I was just switched to another pill to see if these side effects diminish. Terrible pill. 15 pounds in 5 months. Not worth it. Stay away."

• Run...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I am 20 years old, and I was prescribed Minastrin after being diagnosed with PCOS. I can say I am definitely very happy with it! It made my periods very light, and over time they eventually stopped (sometimes they occur for about 5 hours on the last day of the placebo pill). I have been on this pill for about 2 years now and have not experienced any acne, weight gain, or nausea like other people have. Sometimes I get very moody before my period, but it is not extreme. The only thing I noticed for a period of time was constant yeast infections, which was pretty miserable. But after getting through that, I am perfectly fine on this pill (and haven't gotten pregnant, so that's a plus too)."

• Ano...
• January 8, 2016

For Birth Control "Before I started taking this, I was very easygoing and rarely let little things get to me. As soon as I started taking it, I got horrible mood swings, which have continued on and off ever since (I give my boyfriend all the credit in the world for putting up with it). Also, I immediately started gaining weight, about 30 lbs, until I basically started starving myself. Plus, my breasts grew from about a C to a DD and are starting to feel saggy, which wreaks all kinds of havoc on my back and stomach muscles. My periods have been very heavy, and previously, they were always very light. It seems like the only days I'm not bloated are when I take the placebos. I only rated as high as I did because I haven't gotten pregnant :p (yet)"

• r1k...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Minastrin 24 Fe for nearly 5 months. During this time period, I had horrible mood swings, and I was constantly emotional. My boyfriend said that I didn't seem like myself. I also ended up gaining nearly 10 pounds and had very tender breasts all the time. I also would get awful cramps, backaches, and headaches during my periods. My periods were very light, though! All in all, Minastrin 24 Fe was not for me. I have now switched to Loestrin, and I already feel so much better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 13, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been taking this pill for almost a year now (I had never tried any other birth control prior), and I've had no bad side effects. I've never had a problem with weight gain, and I haven't experienced any since I've been on the pill. No unusual mood swings. My skin cleared up dramatically. No terrible cramps anymore, and my period has pretty much disappeared! Really wish I would have found this sooner!"

• AYa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control for 3 months: I haven't had a period, I've gained 10 lbs, my face is broke out, my hair is falling out, I have no sex drive, more frequent moods of depression. This is the worst, and I'm getting off it ASAP."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2016

For Birth Control "STAY AWAY FROM THIS PILL. This is my second month with this pill, and let me tell you how horrible my experience has been. Sudden weight gain, like literally 15 lbs more during these past two months. Lately, I've been very depressed, I've had two panic attacks, pain in my left arm, and shortness of breath. I thought I was having heart problems and rushed to the ER, and my heart is fine. This is all the pill, this pill is driving me crazy. I've never felt like this in my life. So many mood swings. I'm stopping these pills starting now. The only good thing is that your period is lighter and you get zero cramps. THAT'S IT."

• Kyl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Great pill - Minastrin 24 Fe. It is the first one EVER to work for me. I had tried probably 15 others and always had breakthrough bleeding every day or throwing up. So I was so thrilled to start this one! Sadly, my insurance doesn’t cover it, and so I was paying out of pocket. I had a great price for a while, then that coupon expired and it cost me close to $200. A generic by Allergan became available for $100. But now I can’t afford it. So I am on nothing. With no birth control pill, I have terrible periods that last a long time and horrible cramping. On Minastrin, I had no pain, minimal bleeding, and was very happy. I laugh at the review that says on it a week and gained weight... whatever!"

• pri...
• August 2, 2014

For Birth Control "I used to take the regular combined pill and would often get terrible migraines with black auras. It was really scary. Now that I'm on this mini pill, I really haven't gotten them. I never took any other mini pill, but this is way better for me than all the regular pills. My periods are so much lighter and shorter. Yes, I have gained weight and emotional sensitivity. But now that I know they are just side effects, I know I can deal with them. I would take this over the scary migraine and heavy fainting periods anytime. I really think it depends on the individual how you like it. Also, I really think you need to chew it like it says. I read somewhere that the enzymes in your saliva, or stomach, or whatever need to break it down properly."

• Iii...
• November 27, 2016

For Birth Control "1/10 does not even begin to describe my awful experience with this pill. I was on this pill for almost a week and had to stop it due to extreme mood swings and massive depression and anxiety. I have been on SSRIs for 7 years now and my depression and anxiety are relatively under control. From the minute I started this BC, I started gaining weight, breaking out, and having intense mood swings to the point where I thought I needed to go to the hospital. My breaking point with this BC was one night when I went through the cycle of angry/violent thoughts to intense anxiety to feeling completely normal. That cycle happened about 5 times in an hour. After this experience, I am now terrified to try another birth control method besides condoms."